RED ROCK WATERSHED PROJECT RECEIVES WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT OF $249,000 FROM THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (ADEQ) 

These funds are made available each year through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under section 319 of the Clean Water Act and  require a NON FEDERAL match of 40%.  The Red Rock Watershed is located in the Canelo Hills near Patagonia. It is a tributary to Sonoita Creek. Four ranches in the area developed a plan to work together on grazing land management and watershed health several years ago. They entered into a working relationship with the US Forest Service and the University of Arizona to develop an extensive monitoring system that would allow them to assess what was needed to improve the health of the watershed as a whole. This project was a result of that effort and brings additional partners on board; the NRCS, Coronado RC&D and Santa Cruz Natural Resource Conservation District (NRCD). This project will install additional water and fencing to facilitate livestock management that will improve vegetation and reduce runoff into Sonoita Creek.